Anaesthetist Dr David Schuster has received an Australia Medal, not only for his service to the medical field but also to the Dubbo community throughout his career.
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Dr Schuster said he hadn't been expecting to receive the award, saying it 'came out of nowhere'.
"I was surprised and excited," Dr Schuster said.
"It's nice to know that my work has been recognised, I've never received an award like this before."
"It is thanks to my wife and family for the support as well as the staff, mainly the nurses, at Dubbo Hospital and Macquarie Private Hospital.
"It's a demanding career and a lot of hard work."
Dr Schuster was 16 when he was accepted for a scholarship to study anaesthetics.
Before his retirement, Dr Schuster was the visiting medical officer and consultant anaesthetist at Dubbo Private Hospital from 1994 to 2013.
He was also director of anaesthetics at Dubbo Hospital from 2000 to 2004, visiting medical officer and consultant anaesthetist at Dubbo Hospital from 1974 to 2004 and visiting medical officer and consultant anaesthetist at Macquarie Private Hospital from 1974 to 1994.
Dr Schuster is also former Medical Staff Council chairman and staff council representative of the Dubbo Hospital board.
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Over the years Dr Schuster has been an avid supporter of services including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, World Vision, The Salvation Army, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bathurst.
"I've been fairly lucky, I've had a fairly good life, although admittedly I have worked hard for what I have, I always believed it was important to give back to those struggling," he said.
"Most of the work I've done for charities has been outside of Dubbo because I didn't want to draw the spotlight to myself. I don't do it for the recognition."
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